Examples of how Creationism Portrays its Societies
Examples of how Creationism Portrays its Societies
Stories of creation can be found in almost every culture and are the basis of most religions. Man created stories to explain where he came from and how the world came into existence. Though they originated in the same part of the world, the Babylonian Enuma Elish and the Hebrew book of Genesis are two very different stories about the creation of man. These two stories of creation portray the two societies that created them: the Babylonian society of brutal servitude and the society of the recently freed Hebrews.
In the story of Enuma Elish, the gods are continuously quarreling and feuding for power. The gods acquire this power by killing other rival gods. The brutality of the struggle for power is shown when Marduk kills Tiamat, “he releases the arrow, it tore her belly, it cut through her insides, splitting her heart. Having thus subdued her, he extinguishes her life.” The Babylonian society is also governed by brutality and this is shown through the Code of Hammurabi. An example of these brutal laws is Code 195 “ if a man has struck his father, his hand shall be cut off.” The Code of Hammurabi suggests that the Babylonians created Enuma Elish to justify the brutal society that they live under.
In the Book of Genesis the story of creation is portrayed very differently. The Hebrews believe in a single omniscient God. Unlike the Gods of Enuma Elish, the God of Hebrews shows mercy instead of brute force. God’s mercy is evident through his interactions with Adam and Eve. God states, “of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shalt not eat of it: for in the day that you eat of it you shall die”. However, when Adam and Eve do eat the apple, though he gives them a harsh punishment, he allows them to live. His merciful actions are also shown in the story of Cain. After Cain murdered his brother, not only does God not kill but also shows mercy in his punishment, “Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.” These stories in the Genesis suggest that the Hebrews believe that they were created by a merciful...